‘THERE’S SO MUCH LIGHT’ IN NEW HOME IN HEARTLAND
Scenic Cochrane community right balance of livability and affordability
Sharing the sentiments of many people living in Cochrane, Karan Menon thinks the scenery is something special.
“I’ve never seen that much greenery, healthy greenery. It’s very nice,” he says, also marvelling at the area’s standout views.
He and his wife Vas recently moved to the heritage town just west of Calgary limits after living in the city’s northwest quadrant for 14 years. While they considered a move to Edmonton at the time, a job decision kept them in the area.
That’s when they found the home, community and the value they were after in Heartland by Apex Developments.
They bought a front-drive single-family home by Excel Homes. Karan describes their experience with Excel as “so smooth,” adding everything was “right on the button.”
They picked Excel’s Edendale II model — which has three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms — and also presented as one of the builder’s four show homes in the community. From the community’s entire builder group, there are 11 show homes in total.
The value was there, says Karan. “Price-wise ... We couldn’t buy a house like this in Calgary. We are so happy with it,” he adds.
Front-drive single-family homes in Heartland are available from the $370,000s.
The community also has front attached bungalows from the $410,000s, duplexes from the $300,000s, street towns, which are a fee simple format, from the $310,000s, and townhomes from the $250,000s.
Along with Excel, Heartland’s builder group is composed of Pacesetter by Sterling Homes, Rohit Communities, and Birchwood Developments.
“We have a lot of friends who really like this plan,” says Karan of the Edendale II.
“We like lots of light in the house, and we got it,” he adds. “There’s so much light here.
“From our dining room, the sliding door, it’s beautiful scenery.”
Karan also calls the kitchen and all of its materials “superb.”
The couple likes that the home gives them the space they need to host their children and grandchildren when they visit, and that its open-concept main level is ideal for gatherings.
In this house, Karan — who has been retired for 14 years — has been able to enjoy some of his favourite pastimes. He’s restoring a 1966 BMW, and building a 10 1/2foot replica of the Titanic in his basement.
“I’m enjoying my life,” he says. Cochrane has all of the amenities to meet the couple’s day-to-day needs, and if there’s something beyond that, the drive to Calgary is quick and convenient, Karan says.
Heartland is earmarked for 1,450 residential units at completion, with an extra five multi-family sites throughout the community.
Apex Developments sales and marketing co-ordinator Morgan Gowland says several factors make the master-planned community accessed off Bow Valley Trail, on the west end, an appealing area.
“Purchasers find Heartland an attractive place to live because of its unbeatable charm, family-friendly vibe and incredible value,” she says. “Together with timeless architecture, extra wide landscaped boulevards, three completed parks, and an established feel, home buyers are eager to call Heartland home.”
It also boasts easy access to shopping and recreation.
“Conveniently located just off Highway 1A, Heartland puts residents within minutes of downtown Cochrane, 10 minutes to Ghost Lake recreational area and Spray Lake Sawmill Family Sports Centre, 15 minutes to Calgary and under an hour to the mountain parks,” Gowland says.
Heartland will contain 18.2 hectares (45 acres) of green space, headlined by well-planned parks.
“Heartland’s three parks were designed to serve as both active and social spaces for residents in the community,” Gowland says. “Parents can enjoy sitting back and sharing a morning coffee with neighbours or packing a picnic lunch to enjoy at the tables and benches found next to formal play areas.
“With elements for all ages and abilities, tots can learn to climb, slide and swing while older kids can enjoy testing out their balance, strength and co-ordination,” she adds. “One park even features outdoor workout equipment for parents looking to get a quick workout in.
“The wide-open spaces adjacent to both parks leave plenty of room for playing catch or encouraging a game of pickup soccer, a space often missing from other new communities.”
Pathways give residents another option to enjoy the fresh air.
“For those looking to stay connected, the newly completed greenway along the south boundary of the community allows for easy pedestrian access to parks within the community,” Gowland says. “This pathway system will also link to the future pedestrian crossing the Town of Cochrane is building in spring of 2019 at the CP Rail tracks, allowing residents safe and easy access to the river and neighbouring communities.”